Comprehensive Review: Miracle Tree Moringa oleifera Lam

Abstract

From ancient times, humans have depended on plants as a source of medicines. The interest in plants is as old as mankind itself. For novel agents to heal various disorders and improve health, the plant kingdom represents a rich store of folk traditional medicines and organic compounds. Various plants with medicinal properties are used as traditional medicines; M. oleifera Lam. (family Moringaceae) is one of them. M. oleifera Lam. drumstick tree is a tropical species known by various regional names as kelor, saguna, sahjan, sajiwan, sajna, Subhanjana, and suragavo. M. oleifera occurs naturally and is also cultivated throughout India. It is a small to medium-sized tree known as an admirable source of nutrition and a natural energy booster. Primary and secondary metabolites such as minerals, protein, vitamins, and various phenolic compounds are present in different parts of the plant. Most parts of this plant (bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, pods, roots, and seeds) show various pharmacological activities such as analgesic, anti-atherogenic, anti-cancer, antidiabetic, anti-fertility, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidative, anti-pyretic, etc. M. oleifera has the potential to improve nutrition and to reduce malnutrition, especially among infants and nursing mothers as well as boost food security in developing countries.